Oscar grenier and julien grand



(No Model.) A

I 0. GRENIER & J.'GRAND. APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AGETYLENE GAS.

No. 606,539; Patented June 28, 1898..

2 Fig-l M IVl'bzeJa'w A fury UNITED=-STATES PATENT OSCAR GRENIEB AND JULIEN GRAND, OF LYONS, FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING, ACETYLENE GAS.

sPEcImoATIou forming part of Letters Patent N6. 606,539, dated June 28, 1898.

Application filed fl 29,1896." Serial No. 610,465. (No model.) Patented in France March 30, 1896,11'0. 255,154; in England August 12,*1896,'No. 17,904; in Italy September 28, 1896, LXXXIII, 445 in Belgium September 30, 1896,11'0. 123,596; in Luxemhurg October 9, 1896, No; 2,623; in'Spain November 21, 1896, No. 19,695; in $Witzer1and February 28,189'7,1T0-13,068 in Austria July 8,1897,No.47/2,649,a11di11 Hungary July 15, 1897, No. 8,552.

To all whom it may concern.- j

Be it known that We, OSCAR GRENIER and JULIEN GRAND, engineers,"citizens of the Republic of France, residing at Lyons, in the Republic of France, have invented certain new .and useful Improvements in and Relating to Apparatus for Generating and Utilizing Acetylene Gas for Lighting Purposes, (for which Letters Patent'have been granted in France,No. 255,154, dated March 30, 1896; in Great Britain,"No. 17,904, dated August 12,

- 1896; in Austria, No. 47/2,649, dated July 8,

. Luxemburg, No. 2,623, dated October 9, 1896,

1897; in Belgium, No. 123,596, dated September 30, 1896; in Spain, No. 19,695, dated November 21, 1896; in Italy, Vol. LXXXIII, No.

445, dated September 28, 1896; in SWitZe rland, No. 13,068, dated February 28, 1897; in

and in Hungary, No. 8,552, dat'ed 'July 15,

1897,) of which the following is a specificatiom; reference being had to the accompanying-- drawings.

Our invention relates to gas-generating'ap;

' paratus to which we give the name of an acetylene-producer, the purpose thereof being the generation of illuminating acetylene gas from suitably-prepared carburet of cal cium. In constructing the said acetylene producer the object has been to provide a simple apparatus in which the production of acetylene gas should take place in proportion to the requirements of the consumption in a methodical manner without having in the presence of water an excess of calciumcar buret. In order to realize this result, it was necessary to' employ calcium carburet in a special form, insuring the measuring off of the smallest quantities, and for this purpose the use of calcium carburet in grains of a definite size was absolutelynecessary. In fact, by the crushing of calcium carburet to grains of known dimensions passing through knownvolume of acetylene gas for each portion. The importance of such a rational employment of calcium carburet will be understood at once. The mass intended to cause the generation of gasis not all placed in the presence of water at once, as this would occasion a' tumultuous and too rapid and abundant production, which would carry away watery vapors and would continue to a point where it would be uselessand dangerous.

It is not necessary to set forth all the inconveniences and all the dangers which result from the immediate action of water upon a mass of calcium carburet. It may, however, be stated that by effecting a partial distribution of calcium carburet inwater it is our intention to completely isolate the calcium carburet from the ambient action, and thus obviate the decomposition of its mass in the presence of moisture, to avoid the excess of production of the gas and the pressure, (occasioning a loss of gas or an accident,) and also to preclude the fear of the ever-possible presence of calcium phosphuret in the mass of carburet placed in contact with water. On the other hand, it is preferable to keep the calcium carburet in its solid form, when it is an excellent accumulatorof gas and portable energy, and which presents real advantages as compared with acetylene gas stored up in gas-holders or liquefied under pressure, inasmuch as this necessitates, in the first place, comparatively large gas-holders, and, in the second place,receptacles which are at the same time heavy, strong, and dangerous to handle, occasioning expenses for maintenance, transport, and liquefaction which solid carburet in the form of grains does not necessitate, and which gives instantly acetylene with the acetylene-producer by a simple operation of a cock.

As far as we are concerned and as regards the distributers which we use, the calcium carburet is crushed to grains of the size of from one to two millimeters andbolted in sieves insuring these two sizes. All fine powder is rejected. Accordingly it is the grain of from one to two millimeters on the side in respect of which we claim operative results from this special form of distributor.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1 and 1 are central vertical sections of an apparatus in which our invention is incorporated. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the entire apparatus, drawn to a reduced scale.

The distributor D, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, has the form of a sand-box and is based upon the principle of the running of solids along inclinations determined by experiment.

In order that the comminuted carburet of calcium may not choke while passing out of its receptacle, we make the plug of cylindrical form, with a smooth surface and uniform taper.

The central cylinder 0, which is from twenty to twenty-five millimeters in diameter and acts as a hopper, is of the same diameter as the cone C, which closes the outletorifice and which is actuated by a powerful spring R, always tending to close the same.

The cylinder 0 is arranged in the center of the distributer D, the latter having a uniformly-contracted lower portion, which terminates at the discharge-owning closed by the plug C. The lower end of the central cylinder 0 is immediately over said opening.

The spring which forces the cone upon its seatis placed in the cylinder 0 and kept from all contact with the contents of the distributer.

Lastly, the central cylinder regulates the outlet of the carburet by limiting the thickness I of carburet in the form of a grain which will pass upon the cone 0 of the distributer in order to insure the mathematically-aceurate dosing of the grains to be distributed.

The distance 0 from the lower edge of the hopper-cylinder O to the side of the distributing-funnel D should be at least half the radius of the outlet-orifice.

The distributing-plug C C has not only the function of closing the distributor, but also that of regulating the discharge and even that of provoking it if, in consequence of an agglomeration of the solid material forming an arch upon the outlet-orifice, the distribution should cease.

It is impossible to obtain a certain, uniform, and regular discharge of carburet in the form of grains unless the distributingplug is connected to an agitator which forces the material toward the outlet-orifices and breaks any arch which may tend to be formed in the mass.

The distributor, having a conical plug and a valve-seat upon which said plug closes and provided with a powerful spring insuring the closing of said plug, is actuated by two levers L L, to which two or more spatulze S are fixed. The spatulzc consist of long narrow strips having their upper ends attached to an annular plate L which is suspended in the upper part of the distributor by means of two levers L L, which are pivotally connected at their ends to projections Z I, which rise from a cross-plate Z a little below the levers. The said levers lie parallel to each other, one on each side of 'the diametrical line of the distributor, their movable ends being near the opposite sides of the distributer and against the lower surface of the bell K. Their pivoted ends pass the center of the distributer before they reach their points of pivotal attaclnnent, and the annular plate L which supports the spatulze, is suspended from pawls not far from the movable ends of the levers. The proportions of the levers L are such that the spatulte traverse double the way of that which the central cylinder 0 moves and im part to the material upon the inclined plane V of the funnel a movement of translation toward the outlet-orifice, so as to insure a distribution which is always certain and practically uniform in quantity. lVe conclude,then, on this point by stating that the methodical distribution of calcium carburet in the form of grains of from one to two millimeters in a distributer having the form of a sand-box is insured by the mechanical pushing of the carburet in conjunction with the upward movement of the distributing-cone, which, so to speak, compels the grains of carburet to pass out without turning back and without deviation of the outrunning vein toward the decomposition-water. This distribution, thus defined and clearly represented in the accompanying drawings, defines the new elements of this invention.

In order to operate the mechanism for 0011- trolling the acetylene-gas producer, we can use, practically, only the pressure obtained by the acetylene produced. It is necessary, therefore, to cause this pressure to act upon the greatest possible surface if a force is to be produced sufficient for effecting the desired result.

The bell of the gas-holder is the largest valve that can be made, because it has the dimensions of the apparatus itself. Itis the pressure-regulator and is balanced for the working pressure of ten to twenty centimeters of water, according to the circumstances of the case. Any increase in the volume of gas produced is stored up in the bellwithout enabling the pressure to be modified, and if an undesired disengagement of acetylene gas should take place the entire orifice of the bell would serve for its discharge without any possible accident.

For the decomposition of the calcium earburet we employ the water-reservoir l3, and for holding the generated gas we provide the vessel A, which is entirely distant from the water-reservoir. In the vessel A we provide an annular water-chamber a, in which the bell K is located. \Vith this arrangement no escape is possible between the vessel and the bell, because the acetylene is produced in a distinct reservoir. Any liquid which does not congeal, such as glycerin, may be used in the vessel A, and if the height of the bell is to be diminished mercury can be substituted. Should there be a pressure of gas which would drive the water out of the vessel, there will be no occasion to fear the projection of muddy water, such as would take place in case the bellwere put directly upon the water of the decomposition-reservoir B. e

We not only simplify the apparatus by the construction set forth, but as the carburet in the form of powder always remains perfectly dry by reason of its nature there is no need of a special closing device when the distributer D is placed inside the apparatus, as all odors are confined bythe vessel A; As the bell K is not fixedto any part of the apparatus, it is controlled like a safety-valve only by the action of the interior pressure of the gas and by its own weight. Under these cir cumstances nothing can interfere with its action as a regulator and as a safety-Valve having a large orifice, thereby insuring the absolute security of the acetylene-producer.

As already stated, the water-reservoir B for the decomposition of the carburet is distinct from the vessel A of the gas-holder, and this is absolutely necessary if the regular and certain operation of the bell is to be insured. This independence, moreover, enables us to easily increase the diameter of this reservoir, and thus increase the volume of water used in the decomposition. stances thetemperature for heating the acetylene, in conjunction with the weight of car-- buret distributed, is properly regulated when they work normally, and, according to the conditionsgiven, a rise of only two degrees in temperature per hour of work is found to take place.

The reservoir B has a water-inlet G and an exhausting-outlet P to draw off the lime-milk. The vessel A is provided with a gage N and the reservoir B has a gage N for indicating the height of water in the apparatus.

The useof the plug Z for withdrawing the contents of the vessel B will only be necessary at long intervals. On the bell K there is a charging-hopper M, provided with upper and lower valves.

The acetylene produced should be washed and freed from the water-vapor which it contains and also from the solid foreign particles which it may carry away mechanically. We therefore arrange a washer T in the interior of the gas-holder, between the wall of the vessel A and a concentric circular wall T. This washer T is placed upon an annular diaphragm U, as shown in the drawings. It is filled with sponges T which dip in the water at the lower part of the washer and are kept moist by absorption, and iron turnings, cokedust, charcoal and glass-wool are placed in the annular space of the washer. The gas generated passes into this washer and through the multiple channels of the difierent stratified porous materials therein and then trav- Under these circumerses the moist sponges, which retain all the solid particles carried away, washing the acetylene which has reached this point thoroughly.

A large drying-tube H is mounted on one side, and its lower end enters the top of the water-reservoir B. Said end is open for the entrance of the washed gas, and the interior of the tube is provided with numerous perforated diaphragms Y, on which we place absorbent material Q, such as dry sponge, glasswool, and pieces of calcium carburet to remove the water and other impurities from the gas, so that it arrives in the burners clean and dry. The diaphragms Y may be of wiregauze supported by an axial rod X.

What we claim is 1. An acetylene-gas producer, comprising a generating vessel having an enlarged lower portion containing water, a bell having its open lower end placed in an annular chamber containing a suitable fluid and raised above the water-chamber, a distributer rigidly supported in said bell and provided with a funnel-shaped lower end, a spring-closed, tapered plug to close the outlet at said lower end, and means actuated by the opening of said plug to break up any choking of the granulated material and feed thelatter in uniform quantities to the gas generating chamber, substantially as described.

2. In an acetylene-gas producer, the combination with a generating-chamber containing water of a bell rising above the said generating-chamber, its open lower end lying in a fluid in an annular chamber arranged above the water, a distributer rigidly supported in the upper part of said bell and having a funnel-shaped lower end,\.a tapered, springpressed plug to close the outlet in said lower end, a central, vertical cylinder to inclose the spring acting on said plug, a plurality of spatulae hanging in said funnel-shaped end, levers pivoted at the top of the distributer to support said spatulze their movable ends resting on theunder surface of the closed top of the bell, and a. stem in the central tube having its upper end connected to andrising above the levers between their pivoted ends and the points of suspension of the spa'tulze, substantially as described.

3. In an acetylene-gas producer, the combination with a generating-chamber of a bell rising above the same, its open lower end lying in fluid in an annular chamber above the generating-chamber, a distributer having a funnel-shaped discharge end, a central tube inclosing a spring, a tapered plug connected to the spring and seated by it in the outlet, spatulze suspended in the distributer with their ends a little above the outlet, levers pivoted at their ends'in the upper end of the distributer and having the spatulze suspended from them at points between the pivoted ends and free ends, and a stem connected to said levers and to the spring-seated plug, substantially as described.

ICC

4. In an acetylene-gas producer, the combination of the water-reservoir B having thereon the drier-cylinder II provided with perforated diaphragins Y, the annular water vessel A having the bell K inverted therein and supported above the reservoir B, the annular Washer-chamber T supported in and concentric with the vessels A and I the suspended distributing vessel D, a spring-aetuated plug C to control the discharge-orifice of said distributing \OSSOl l), and spatula S suspended in said distributing-vessel from levers connected with the vertically-extended stem of the said plug, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands this 9th day of October, 1896.

OSCAR GRENIER. JULIEN GRAND. Witnesses:

GEORGES FREYDIER-DURREUL, XAVIER .TAvIeor. 

